Alumni
Alumni support Chemistry@Cambridge Opportunity Fund Alumni have kickstarted the launch of our new Opportunity Fund with two generous gifts. Inaugural gift
“I’m delighted that my gift is going to be used for the new fund,” says Eddie, who is also a generous supporter of Churchill College. “It seems like a good thing to do for a Department which is one of the most prestigious in Cambridge and the UK, and I’m glad the fund will be there for people to benefit from.”
A gift of £10k from Dr Eddie Powell (Churchill 1967) was used by the Department to inaugurate the fund. Eddie completed his PhD in inorganic chemistry here under Martin Mays, and after an eventful career in finance and start-ups, he has become a well-known entrepreneur and business angel in the Cambridge bio-tech hub.
Eddie says he has no specific hopes for how his gift will be used. “To be quite honest, I think the Department is much better placed than I am to decide how to direct the funds, so I’m happy with that,” he says.
These days Eddie has reduced his business commitments to his collaboration with fellow alumnus Shamus Husheer in Heartfelt Technologies, a start-up which was featured in Chem@Cam Issue 60. Heartfelt has developed a device which uses photo technology combined with artificial intelligence to detect when the feet of an individual who has suffered heart failure are swelling, which could indicate a potential recurrence.
Building the fund A second gift of £20k, left as a charitable bequest by Mrs Pamela Goldhill, has been directed to the fund by her son and executor Dr Jonathan Goldhill (Darwin 1976). Jon completed his PhD in organic chemistry under Professor Ian Fleming.
Since he (mostly) retired ten years ago, Eddie says he and his wife have been fortunate to travel to many countries, and for him one of the most frustrating side effects of the Covid epidemic was the restriction on travel. Now that things have opened up, they plan to re-start their voyages, but they will also try to avoid flying wherever possible – not only because they’ve grown to dislike airports over the years, but also as a nod to climate change and reducing their carbon footprint. “We love travelling by train – that’s where you’ll find us,” he says. Eddie in 1985.
Eddie now with his prize possession.
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